Monday, July 15, 2013

Being a parent and a friend

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a great summer vacation, so far. We have been busy..but then who isn't? Summer is all about being busy! I believe, "busy as a bee," is the expression. But busy during the summer can be fun! While cleaning, you can turn up the radio , open the windows, let the fresh air in, and sing & dance to your hearts content. You can do this in the cooler seasons too, but I don't recommend opening the windows...brrrrr. You also get in more trips in the summer.. I know it usually ends up more of a vacation for the children, than  the adults. But, remember, they grow fast.. cherish these moments. Summer is a time of reflection. Look back on last school year and see what you can change in attitude , and spirit. It's a time for you to use for building stronger relationships with your family. Your children Need you, show them you are always there.  Not just in the summer, any time. Have fun! Show your children, you can laugh! You are not a strict old prune. I have heard people saying, "Don"t be your child's friend." That's not correct!You can be their friend ,and their parent! Don't let them disrespect you. You can still admonish them,even as a friend. Don't friends correct each other? Your children will love you and want to respect you more, when you show them you love them and are willing to come down to their level a bit. No, I don't mean that you should let them do as they please. I mean you should enjoy them. Laugh with them, talk to them, dance with them, sing with them, listen to their problems. Be a friend! Hug them, read to them, pray with them and for them. Set boundaries, tell them when they are wrong, and why, not just cause you said so ( Read scriptures on the concerning problem.).  Don't belittle your child (TALK TO THEM!). Stop yelling at them!  Be a Parent.
You see, you can be both. This doesn't mean they have free reign. Letting your children have free reign to do whatever they want , and treat people anyway they want, is neither friendship or parenting. That's just neglect! No, there is nothing wrong with getting a little bit of "me time" in, but don't be neglectful and push them away, because you don't want to deal with them.                                                                                  I am speaking to myself just as much as I am speaking to you. I get irritated, and raise my voice. I say, "cause I said so!" etc. I am not exactly perfect! But, I do believe that God can help me in this area. I need to give all my frustrations to him, instead of placing them on my children,  husband, or anyone else that may strike a nerve at the wrong time. We all need to remember who gave us our children as gifts in the first place, and we need to trust in Him to help us handle it. We need to learn to love as He does, and discipline as He does.
He is a just God, but He is also loving and merciful. He listens to us, and supplies our needs. He comforts us through His word, and through others. We need to look to God as our example. Look at Christ when He walked the earth. He was a friend and a teacher. We need to be the same. So yes, be your childs parent, but also be their friend.

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